“He who loves the world as his own
body may be entrusted with the empire.” – Lao Tzu
Presently people across the globe are
getting impatient, intolerant, and agitated without any concern for
others. It seems there is less respect
toward others’ religions, regions, races, languages, ethnicities, cultures, and
communities. In addition, the aspirations and expectations from all
stakeholders are rising rapidly. For instance, children demand more from
parents; students demand more from teachers; subordinates demand more from
superiors; employees demand more from employers; followers demand more from
leaders; and people demand more from the government. In fact, people are
becoming more rights-oriented rather than duty-oriented. They must remember John F. Kennedy’s clarion
call: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your
country.”
There must be a shift in the mindset
of the people. There must be a need for tolerance and respect toward others. People must be
duty-oriented rather than rights-oriented. Empathy is the answer for these
challenges. Empathy is the ability to step into the shoes of others, and look
at the issues from others’ perspective. However, presently people hardly
empathize with others. When we empathize
with others most of the global challenges and conflicts will be resolved
easily. Through empathy, we can put an end to intolerance, impatience, and
instability. Through empathy, we can resolve several global challenges
amicably. In fact, empathy is essential for global peace, prosperity, and
stability.
Some people resort to violence to
settle their scores. And some countries wage wars to settle their long-pending
issues. In fact, violence is not the solution to several global issues. Ralph
Waldo Emerson rightly remarked, “Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it
can only be attained through understanding.” People should shed their violent
attitude and must respect others through empathy and understanding.
Love your mother but don’t hate
others’ mother. As your mother is precious to you, others’ mother is equally
precious to them. As your race, religion, region, language, ethnicity, culture,
and community are precious to you, they are equally precious to others.
William J. Clinton said, “The real
differences around the world today are not between Jews and Arabs; Protestants
and Catholics; Muslims, Croats, and Serbs.
The real differences are between those who embrace peace and those who
would destroy it; between those who look to the future and those who cling to
the past; between those who open their arms and those who are determined to
clench their fists.” People must learn
to empathize with others to make a difference in the lives of others. We need
empathic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, and
Dalai Lama to name a few to maintain global peace, security and stability.
Remember what Mother Teresa said when asked what you can do to promote world
peace: “Go home and love your family.”
As charity begins at home, let us start promoting global peace by loving
our family and empathizing with others first.
Email: profmsr7@gmail.com
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